Marine parachute training posed real-world obstacles

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 Marines left Air Station New River to conduct parachute operations July 25.

Cpl. Martin Egnash

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 Marines left Air Station New River to conduct parachute operations July 25.

The six-man crew flew to another air field, and picked up Marines and gear attached to a parachute to be dropped from the back of the aircraft.

“The mission is to fly and conduct parachute operations, dropping the Marines from 5,000 feet, and traveling at (144 miles per hour),” said Capt. Kellen Mollahan, VMM-261 Osprey pilot.

In two groups of four, the Marines boarded the aircraft with two jump masters who were to observe the Marines jumping.

Staff Sgt. Paul Konicki, air delivery specialist and one of the flight's jump masters, gave the Marines hand-and-arm signals, relayed information, and double-checked the Marines’ gear before allowing them to jump.

“Inserting troops via ParaOps enhances combat effectiveness because we can quickly mass troops in distant locations on the battlefield,” Mollahan said. “This removes the requirement for an aircraft to land and allows us to transport Marines to locations where landing may not be an option.”

There were a few obstacles for the parachuting Marines.

“The landing area is surrounded by 130-foot trees,” Kellen said.

During one Marine’s descent, a shifting wind took him into the tall trees, where the Marine used his training to free himself and climb down from the tree without harm. Once regrouping with the other jumpers, the Marine immediately asked his veteran jumpers what he could have done differently.

After the last group of jumpers made their way to ground, the air crew went back to the air station.

“The flight went really well,” Mollahan said. “Being able to train with the Marines that you may one day carry into combat is not only rewarding but also enhances our quality of training.”